Trump Signals Openness to Cutting NATO Troops for Russia Peace Deal

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he is open to considering a reduction of NATO-stationed U.S. troops in European countries such as Poland if such a move could facilitate a peace agreement with Russia over its war in Ukraine. "That hasn’t been put before me. I’ll think about that later," Trump told reporters on 14 Aug., when asked whether he would support troop cuts as part of a potential deal. While stressing that the proposal is not currently on the negotiating table, Trump’s remarks mark one of his clearest acknowledgments that future U.S. deployments in Europe could be used as leverage in talks aimed at ending the conflict. The comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker a cease-fire and as NATO allies maintain an expanded military presence on the alliance’s eastern flank.